What is Programme Onchocercoses?

The primary focus of Programme Onchocercoses is the study of onchocerciasis and research of human and bovine Onchocerciasis in the Republic of Cameroon. Our research network is based on more than 35 years of successful partnership of research institutes in Germany and our partners Africa. The research is led by Dr. Alfons Renz currently working with the University of Tübingen, one of the oldest universities in Europe. The faculty of natural sciences is recognised worldwide for it’s wide spectrum of courses offered.

Study of Onchocerciasis

The study of onchocerciasis is also known as river blindness because the blackfly which transmits the disease breeds in rivers; it often blinds people, as well as causing debilitating skin disease. Our local fieldstations and bush-laboratories were often far away from the main towns, in close neighbourhood to the villages, where where onchocerciasis is endemic. Riverblindness is rightly called the disease ‘at the end of the road’, but this road also lead us to villages where life was and is still going on in the old traditional way.